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Children Family

It’s Good Friday! 30 Seafood and Meat-Free Meals

good friday meals

Wondering what you can cook this Good Friday? If so, then you have come to the right place. We have mentioned some mouthwatering and flavorsome seafood and meat-free meals that children, elders, and others in your family will love. Let’s take a look.

1. Sweet-and-Smoky Cedar-Planked Salmon

It is a blend of light brown sugar and smoked paprika, which offers you a tasty grilled flavor.

2. Bulgur and Cashew Stuffed Eggplant

This meal is free from meat and dairy and allows you to experience a completely different taste of spices and sweet.

3. Spring Pasta with Salmon

Pasta and salmon is the perfect combo that everyone in the family would love. The peas and spices make this meal super appetizing.

4. Thai Scallop Curry with Shiitake Mushrooms and Zucchini Noodles

It gives you an exceptionally earthy experience with fresh ginger, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, and curry powder.

5. Pesto-Topped Grilled Swordfish Steak

It’s your chance to enjoy grilled flavors by incorporating them in the pesto and swordfish. You will lick your fingers for sure.

6. Grilled Mahi-Mahi with Salsa Verde

It’s another sumptuous dish that offers you a fillet of grilled fish. You can enhance the taste by adding sizzling salsa to your menu.

7. Pasta with Walnut Pesto

This is a unique dish in our list of meals. You can enjoy the flavors of pasta, walnut pesto, herbs, and vegetables, all in one dish.

8. Shrimp Scampi

You need to add garlic butter on top of it for a lip-smacking aroma. A squeeze of lemon and crusty bread on the side will boost its flavor and appearance.

9. Panzanella with Marinated Chimichurri and Chickpeas

Panzanella is a salad that combines with bread to offer you a delicious main course. Herbs, oil, and vinegar are used to make it rich and tasty.

10. Salmon Wellington

On this Good Friday, have wellington on your table that contains spinach, salmon, and parmesan. Your family will surely love your efforts.

11. Wild Mushroom and Potato Burrata Pizza

How can we forget to add a pizza to our list? This veggies and herb pizza is a superb way to celebrate Good Friday.

12. Portobello Pot Roast

Pot roast is one of the classic holiday meals. This is slightly different, as you will use mushrooms for heft instead of meat-laden.

13. Trumpet Mushroom Calamar

You may know that mushroom is the best substitute for meat. This is why you need to use mushrooms instead of squids in them. It will have a delicious texture and taste.

14. Tempeh Fish n’ Chips And Tartar Sauce

This dish offers you mouthwatering flavors of lemon, flakes, and Old Bay Seasoning. The tender and crunchy fish will force your guest to admire your cooking skills.

15. Vegan Fish and Chips

Chips, vegan, and fish are a flavorful combo that is pretty easy to make without any mess and has exceptionally great taste.

16. Battered Hearts of Palm Crab Cakes

The battered heart of palm crab cake is fried until it gets crispy. Then you will need to serve it with beamy tangy homemade tartar sauce.

17. Black Bean and Carrot Crispy Tacos

Craving tacos this Good Friday? Add this to your menu to have a crunchy meat-free treat.

18. Vegetarian Chili with Beans and Grains

This is the quickest, easiest, and tastiest meal you can make for the entire family. It is best to serve children, elders, and youngsters.

19. Mississippi Catfish Gumbo

This stew is made with catfish and okra. It is the best way to skip sausages and yet cook a classic dish for your family.

20. Cucumber-Salmon Panzanella

This healthy and simple greens and bread salad is the best food item to serve in your lunch and dinner, giving you mouthwatering and smacking flavors.

21. Cauliflower Mac ‘n’ Cheese

This is the best cheesy option, which is also healthy, to have on your dinner menu this Good Friday.

22. Smoky Tempeh Black Bean Burgers

Your guests will be surprised after taking a bite that this juicy burger is actually vegan. You can make it for your friends who are vegan.

23. Broiled Flounder With Lemon Cream Sauce

This is a simple fish dish that has a sour and spicy flavor. The creamy sauce is the primary tastemaker in this recipe.

24. Vegan Cioppino

This is an Italian-style fish stew with lots of vegetables, herbs, and tomato broth.

25. Adobong Pusit

If you love the natural rich flavors of squid, you need to try this. It contains soy sauce, garlic, and vinegar.

26. Chickpea Salad Sandwich

Instead of using tuna, you can use chickpea in your salad sandwich to get a simple yet flavorsome dish.

27. Vegan Nicoise Avocado Salad

This delicious dish has an intense flavor that will tantalize your taste buds at the first bite. It contains green beans, potatoes, and avocado.

28. Tuna Noodle Casserole

It is best for people who love tuna. Cooking a meal with tuna, noodle, and casserole, you can enjoy three separate flavors in a single dish.

29. Sriracha Tofu

Even meat-eaters will fall for this tangy tofu. It has a spicy and sweet taste that is perfect for adding to your Good Friday dinner.

30. Sheet Pan Pistachio Crusted Salmon and Glazed Carrots

This is a one-pan meal that is exceptionally great for every type of family. Even your children will love its intense and rich flavors.

Bottom Line

You can pick a few dishes from this list to serve to your family and guests this Good Friday. They will surely love and appreciate your cooking skills.

Categories
Family Senior

10 Discounts Seniors Didn’t Know About

senior discounts

Many seniors remain in ignorance of the multiple discounts they can avail when they’re out spending money. You could save a significant amount on several purchases if you knew what discounts you’re entitled to.

Here are the top 10 discounts:

1.   Groceries

Several grocery stores offer senior discounts, which you must ask for while paying for your purchases. For example, Farm Fresh offers 5% discounts for fifty-five-year-olds and above on Tuesdays and Thursdays, while New Seasons Market offers a 10% discount for seniors every Wednesday.

Remember to verify the next time you’re out buying the groceries.

2.   Mortgage Rate Reduction

There is a free mortgage program that offers up to $3,120 savings for seniors annually. It would be best if you found out about the validity and eligibility of this program from your bank the next time you’re paying.

3.   Home Alarm Savings

Many Home Alarm companies offer a 10% discount for senior homeowners. The idea is to encourage every senior citizen to safeguard their property and lives with a reliable alarm system, more so because of their age-related vulnerability.

4.   Restaurant Meals

A lot of dine-outs offer discount deals and a certain percent of the entire bill for senior customers. From steak restaurants to fast food joints, there is usually a discount at the majority of places if you’re fifty-five years and above.

5.   Cruise Discounts

From all-inclusive travel options to exclusive deals for fifty-year-olds and above, many cruising companies worldwide offer discounts for seniors. You can luxuriate in the splendors of the sea at great deals as a senior, but only if you ask for your discount when you’re booking your trip next time.

6.   Medical Bill Discounts

Seniors require more treatments and doctor visits as they age, and many insurance companies offer discount cards. As a senior, you also receive hearing, vision, prescription drug, and dental coverage, all with a supplemental insurance plan.

You can avail some incredible medical benefits as a senior but do remember to ask for those.

7.   Brand Discounts

Stein Mart, Marshall’s, Kohl’s, Banana Republic, and Ross offer discounts for seniors. You need to be fifty years and above to shop on discounts at these fabulous places on designated days. However, it is best to verify each of these stores’ age eligibility before you go shopping with your old pals.

Many stores also offer a monthly Senior’s Day where you can avail 20% discounts on your membership cards, shop online, or other features.

Categories
Family Financial Insurance Senior

When Can I Change My Medicare Insurance Plan?

medicare insurance plan

We know that Medicare insurance is complicated. There are restrictions, open enrollment periods, and so many different plans from which you can choose. It’s easy to find yourself with one hundred different questions.

One of the most common questions we see is, “when can I change my Medicare supplement insurance plan? While we’d like to say the answer is simple, much like Medicare, it’s complicated. In this guide, however, you’ll learn more about when you can change your supplement plans and how to do it.  

What are Medicare Supplement plans?

It is important that you understand the difference between your Medicare insurance and Your Medicare Supplement plan. Your Medicare plan is provided by the government, but a Medicare Supplement Plan is a private health insurance policy.

The purpose of a Supplement plan is to supplement the coverage you get with your original Part A or Part B Medicare plan. For a monthly payment, Medicare Supplement plans usually cover your coinsurance, deductible, and copays. They help to fill in the gaps that you would otherwise be required to pay out of pocket. For that reason, they are sometimes referred to as Medigap insurance plans.

When Can I Change My Plans?

The simple answer is that you can change your Medicare Supplement plan anytime, but of course, there’s a catch. Since supplements are private health insurance policies, the insurance company can choose to turn you down for health reasons.

Supplements are not the same as your Medicare Part C or D plan. Therefore, they aren’t eligible for changes during the Annual Election Period, which occurs in the fall.

There’s only one time when you can enroll in any supplement without being rejected, and that time is six months after you turn 65 or enroll in Part B, whichever comes later. Once this period passes, you can still apply, but the decision is ultimately up to the provider.  

How Do I Change My Plans?

If you would like to change your Medicare Supplement plan, all you have to do is fill out an application with questions related to your health. Many states also require you to pass a medical underwriting.

What does that mean?

It is the process of examining your medical history in order to determine any risk factors that could affect your health insurance coverage. If you are found to be too much of a risk, the private insurance company can deny you or charge you a higher rate. However, there are also many situations that could be covered under your guaranteed-issue rights.

Reasons to Change Your Insurance

Though the application process isn’t always easy, there are several reasons that seniors choose to switch their Medicare Supplement plans. You should consider changing your plan if you:

  • Found the same plan for less money from a different insurance company
  • Need more benefits than what your plan currently offers
  • Don’t use all of the benefits that you currently have
  • Wish you buy your plan from another insurance provider

Request a Quote for a Medicare Supplement Plan

Your best chance to get the coverage you need is within your one-time enrollment window, but you can change your supplement plan at any time! If this is something you’re interested in, we recommend that you do your research and request a Medicare insurance quote from different companies.

Once you have found your ideal plan, you can start the application process. Many companies offer a “free look period” for 30 days. That means you can take 30 days to decide if your new plan is the best Medicare insurance plan for your needs.

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Financial Tax Services

Which Tax Software is Best for You?

tax services

Tax season is upon us and for many people, that means stress and worry about filing their taxes correctly. You want to be sure to file your taxes correctly while still getting all of the deductions and refunds that you qualify for. Using tax software can help you achieve that goal.

Tax software leads you through the entire tax process by asking questions to know what forms you should file. They will also tell you what information you need and where to find it on your tax forms. They also make it easy to file electronically so that you can get your refund quickly.

There are different tax software available and each kind of tax software is best for certain people and situations. Which one you want to use will depend on your situation and what taxes you file.  

TurboTax

TurboTax is one of the leading tax filing software companies. Their software asks you questions about how you’re filing taxes this year, how you made money, and what your year looked like financially to get you to the right places to file correctly and get the right deductions. They also account for federal and state taxes in the same filing. 

This software is easy to use whether you’re an individual or business filing taxes. It will automatically include home purchases, dependents, and other deductions so you don’t have to worry about including them. By answering the questions it asks you, you can be ready to file electronically and know that they will be filed correctly. 

H&R Block

If you want free software to file your taxes, H&R Block can help with that. They provide ease of filing without having to pay for anything. It covers federal and state taxes for many filing options without any additional charges. 

Many individuals do not have complex tax forms, they have a W-2 form and some deductions. In these situations, having a free option for filing taxes is the best option. When your taxes are easy to file, they should come with a corresponding price tag.   

Tax Slayer

As more people become reliant on the gig economy or self-employment for either a portion or for their entire paycheck, having tax software that understands that can help ensure that your taxes are filed correctly. These kinds of jobs have different tax forms and deductions that you want to account for.

Tax Slayer is affordable and will help you account for all of the ways you made money and the different deductions that you qualify for. They provide options for state and federal taxes so you can be assured that all of your tax needs are met.     

Conclusion

Filing taxes requires different needs depending on how you’re filing taxes. Some taxes are easier to file than others. There are several kinds of tax software available so you can find the right one for your situation. Filing taxes with the help of tax software makes filing taxes easy, no matter how you made money.

Categories
Financial Insurance

Life Insurance: What You Need to Know

life insurance guide 101

In order to know which life insurance policy is best for you, you must first understand its function. What is life insurance? It is a contract between you and an insurer to provide your beneficiary with death benefits based on your payment of premiums.

Still sounds complicated?

In this guide, you’ll learn all of the basics that you need to understand—no matter your stage of life. Whether you’re shopping for the first time or switching policies, we encourage you to read on to find out more about life insurance 101.

Types of Life Insurance

The two primary types of life insurance are term and permanent. With term insurance, you are covered for a set amount of time. It typically lasts 5-30 years, whereas permanent insurance covers your entire life or up to 100 years old.

For the most part, providers sell term policies with level premiums, so you never have to worry about the rate going up as you get older. However, you may have the option to convert your policy to a permanent insurance after the life insurance term is up. With permanent policies, you can choose between whole life and universal plans. Whole life means that you pay the same premium throughout your entire life while universal life insurance gives you flexible premiums.

The biggest difference between term and permanent policies is the ability to build value. A term plan has no value at the end of the life insurance term, but permanent insurance increases cash or loan value. That means you can withdraw, invest, or even borrow against that value. If that’s a feature that is important to you, a permanent policy would be your best option.

Calculating Life Insurance Rates

Your health and age are two of the biggest factors determining your premium rate. In fact, policies are issued either simplified issue or fully underwritten. The former often comes at a higher price because it is based on simple application questions. The latter typically offers lower rates if you show good health through a thorough medical exam and lab work.

Those aren’t the only factors that insurance companies consider, however. They also base your premium on:

  • Your Gender
  • Family Medical History
  • Location
  • Lifestyle

What Does It Cover?

You might be thinking that if your young and healthy, you don’t need insurance at all, but that’s simply not true. It is especially important for young people with families to get insured. A good life insurance policy can help your loved ones with:

  • Funeral Expenses: Did you know that the average cost of a funeral is over $7,000? Add to that the cost of a cemetery plot, headstone, or vault, and it’s even higher. These high end of life expenses are the biggest life insurance selling points for a majority of people.
  • Replacement Income: If your income plays any role in your household’s finances, you need life insurance. When you leave behind a spouse and young children, it helps them maintain their standard of living.
  • Mortgage Payments: It is also crucial that you have life insurance to cover mortgage payments. Nothing could be worse than losing a loved one and your home all at once. Your insurance policy could help with monthly payments or pay off the remaining balance entirely.

How Much Coverage Do You Need?

The answer largely depends on your family and financial needs. Typically, young married couples with children and single parents need the most coverage for the items we mentioned above. We suggest that you take a look at your mortgage or other loans, the cost of your funeral, and your income to choose an amount that best fits your needs.

On the other hand, empty nesters and retirees typically need fewer death benefits. You may not need life insurance at all if you’ve paid off all of your debts and saved accordingly. A financial advisor can help you determine how much coverage you will need.

Get Your Life Insurance Quote

Every policy is different. What may be best for you could be entirely different from what is best for your neighbor. For that reason, we recommend that you do further research and shop around for the best life insurance quote for your needs. There are plenty of agents and online tools ready to help you choose a life insurance policy.

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Financial Insurance

The Basics of Health Insurance

guide to health insurance

Health insurance is the product you purchase to cover any essential or emergency medical expenses. Much like other insurances, many complicated terms and requirements make health insurance confusing for first-time buyers.

However, you must do your research, so you can make sure you have the right coverage for when you need it most. You don’t want to risk being uninsured or underinsured. To learn more about the basics of health insurance, keep reading this guide!

What Does Health Insurance Cover?

There are many different plans and coverage options available, but the government requires all public and private health insurance policies to cover the basics. These required services are referred to as the 10 health essential benefits, and they include:

  1. Prescription Drugs
  2. Pediatric Services
  3. Emergency Services
  4. Hospitalization
  5. Preventative Services & Chronic Disease Management
  6. Addiction & Mental Health Services
  7. Pregnancy, Maternity, and Newborn Care
  8. Laboratory Services
  9. Ambulatory Patient Services
  10. Rehabilitative & Habilitative Services

You may find that your state requires insurers to offer more essential coverage. It is very rare that you would find a state that restricts these 10 essential services.

Commonly-Used Health Insurance Terms

When you start to compare health insurance plans beyond the essentials, you’ll notice that there are many different terms thrown around. Some plans may offer a high deductible with a low coinsurance rate. Others may vary based on out-of-pocket limits. In order to find the right plan for your needs and budget, you need to know what all of these terms mean.

  • Deductible: The amount of money you must pay before your health insurance starts to cover any of your medical expenses. Your deductible amount resets every year, even if you exceed it the previous year.
  • Copayment: The flat fee you pay for certain services, such as doctor visits and prescription drugs. It’s also referred to as a copay, and you typically pay it regardless of whether you met your deductible or not.
  • Coinsurance: Unlike your flat-fee copay, coinsurance is a percentage of the medical costs you have to pay after reaching your deductible.
  • Out-of-Pocket Limit: This amount is the most that you will be required to pay for your medical costs. Your deductible, copays, and coinsurance all make up your out-of-pocket expenses.

How to Determine the Cost of Health Insurance

Since all of the different factors can vary from plan to plan, you need to know how to calculate your health insurance costs. You shouldn’t compare the premiums alone. Instead, you need to calculate the overall expenses by adding up the five major features of your plan.

Premiums

Your premium is your monthly bill that you pay for health insurance coverage. It’s important to understand that this isn’t the amount you’ll pay for your actual health care services. A low premium often means that you have less coverage, so you should expect to pay more out of your own pocket for your health care expenses. This amount also does not contribute to your deductible or maximum out-of-pocket limit.

Deductibles

Your deductible is the amount that you have to pay before your insurance provider steps in to cover your expenses. A lower premium usually means that you’ll have a higher deductible, so you need to find the balance between what you can afford to pay now versus in an emergency.  

Coinsurance

Once you meet your deductible, your insurer helps to pay for a percentage of your health care expenses. You are still responsible for the other portion until you reach your maximum out-of-pocket limit. However, there are some plans that cover 100% of your expenses after you reach your deductible.

Copayment

Before and after you meet your deductible, you’ll have to pay this flat rate every time you go to the doctor or receive prescription drugs. The amount of your copay depends on your insurance provider and the plan you select. A common copay is around $15 to $25 for a routine visit to an in-network doctor.

Maximum Out-of-Pocket Limit

If you want to know the maximum amount of money that you’ll ever have to pay for health care, you should look at the maximum out-of-pocket limit. Aside from your premiums, every cost contributes to the limit, so you’ll never have to pay more than that amount for your health care expenses. Keep in mind that a higher monthly premium usually gives you a lower maximum limit.

Learn More About Health Insurance

Since payments and plans can vary so much from one provider to another, you should request a health insurance quote from several different companies. We suggest that you speak with each provider to learn more about their coverage options. You can also read some of our other health insurance guides to find out more about how it works.

Categories
Health & Home Home Improvement

Converting Your Shed into a Living Space You’ll Love

convert your shed

Do you have a vacant shed taking up space in your backyard? Have you ever thought about converting it into additional living space? If so, this guide is for you!

Sheds can be converted into several types of living spaces. You can easily transform your structure into a cozy she-shed, a guest suite, or a place to work from home without any distractions. Regardless of your goals, there are a few simple steps you can take to make your shed into a comfortable space.

Install Insulation and Seal Cracks

If your shed already has electric, then you can start insulating right away. If you want to add more wiring, outlets, or any plumbing, that needs to be taken care of before you insulate. Otherwise, you’ll have to tear down your drywall and insulation!

Once that is done, you can install insulation. If you plan to spend time out there year-round, you’ll want to make sure that it is as comfortable in the heat of the summer as it is in the dead of winter. We recommend that you take the time to install insulation in all of the stud space of your shed. From there, you can cover the insulation with drywall to give a more finished appearance.

We also suggest that you go through the shed and identify any drafts or cracks. All of these should be sealed off for energy efficiency and protection from the elements. You can easily install weather strips in areas that feel drafty in cool temperatures.

Add Heating/Cooling To Your Shed

With the electric and insulation installed, you can add heating and cooling to the shed. There are several different options designed to fit a variety of budgets and needs. If you want something simple that doesn’t require a difficult installation, then a space heater or window air conditioner is a great option. If you plan to spend a lot of time in the shed, we recommend that you invest in something a little more efficient, even if it is more challenging to install.

Increase Lighting

Many backyard sheds lack adequate lighting, so you’ll want to remedy that solution by installing lights or buying table lamps. If at all possible, you should take advantage of natural light. You can do this by replacing the shed door with glass doors, installing windows, or adding a skylight. Your options are only limited by your budget and design goals!

You might want to consider adding outdoor lighting so that you can enjoy the space in the evening. You can add string lights around your garden, or you can install a porch light by the door of the shed. These lights will also help light your path if you need to go back and forth from the shed to your house in the middle of the night.

Add Furniture and Decor In Your Shed

Your shed should finally start to look like a living space with all of the basics done. The only things that should be missing are personal touches that truly transform it into a place you’ll love to hang out in. The type of furniture and décor you choose will largely depend on how you plan to utilize the space.

If you want a little home gym, you won’t need much furniture, but you’ll need plenty of equipment. A hobby shed should have ample workspace and storage for all of your craft items.   A guest room could have a futon, small café table, and a television. It’s entirely up to you and your imagination!  

Convert Your Shed Today

With so many of us spending time at home, there’s no better time to add extra living space to your property. We suggest that you start converting your shed today if you want to create a she-shed, guest house, home office, or gym. You can learn more about how to renovate your shed by researching DIY home improvement.

Categories
Children Family Health & Home Wellness

Don’t Live Alone? 10 Ways to Carve Out Me Time

In Need Of Alone Time

Not every one of us is fortunate to own or rent our own space. Sometimes, family obligations and cultural values force us to live in a family system, while environmental factors such as the pandemic and others force us to move in with family or roommates, instead of living alone.

No matter what the reasons may be, it can get entirely frustrating when you just do not get any time for yourself. Devoid of peace and quiet, one cannot survive calmly for long. So how can you carve out alone time for your own sanity when you don’t live alone?

Here is how:

1.    Communicate Your Need for Peace Clearly

Emphasize how you need peace and some alone time. Of course, if you’re dealing with family or friends, you need to set the boundary very gently without hurting feelings. You can make a weekly routine where you spend some time in a solo activity, like writing your journal, etc. Let others know not to interrupt you then.

2.    Boundaries

Set a physical boundary that helps you withdraw to a secluded corner, even if for only a few minutes in a day, to enjoy that much needed alone time. It could be your reading corner, a desk, or even a Prayer place.

3.    Plan a Solo Outdoor Escapade Every Weekend

Whether it is a close-by park or a hiking trail, or even a trip for groceries, make sure you plan one trip every Saturday or Sunday alone.

4.    A Daily Stroll

This is a great idea because it will not only keep you physically fit but also give you much-needed free time. A jog every morning or a leisurely stroll alone in the evenings is a great idea.

5.    Stop By at a Café on Your Way Home from Work

There are days when you are lucky to have a lesser workload. In that case, try not to return home directly but rather stop for a cup of coffee at a café for a breather and soak up all the moments alone.

6.    Early Mornings

The best time to grab some alone time is to wake up before the others. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. Imagine the silence and tranquility when all else are asleep, and you can just relax without intrusion.

7.    Early Bedtime

Similarly, going to bed early is a great way to spend some me-time too. If nothing else works, an early bedtime routine during the week can give you some time to run through your thoughts alone before drifting off.

8.    Date Nights or Happy Hours

Although it may not be alone time, do not hesitate or feel guilty to plan these. It’s okay to grab some special time without the presence of your family or your roommates. A date with your pals or happy hours with colleagues is a treat you deserve every once in a while.

9.    Practice Solitude

Even when you’re living with a crowd, you can practice alone time. It requires some skill, but soon you’ll be able to withdraw emotionally and mentally from the others. Choose a quiet corner during family dinner times or others and try not to contribute in conversation. Focus on your thoughts while trying to block out the sounds around you.

10. Volunteer for Errands

Does your mom need something from the farmer’s market? Has the family pet run out of its stock of biscuits? Volunteer to run outdoor errands if you can manage them. This could be a great way of being by yourself, away from the people at home.

Categories
Financial Real Estate

Home Inspection Preparation

home inspection

The chore of selling your home is almost done. You’ve prepped it, listed it, and found a buyer. They managed to make an acceptable offer (congratulations!) and now it’s time for the home inspection. Hold off on filling up and taping those moving boxes shut, this step has caused many deals to fall through.

In most real estate deals, the home inspection happens once the buyer has signed the purchase agreement, but before the final closing date. Many buyers prefer to make the closing of the deal contingent on the acceptable results of a home inspection.

This lets them back out of the sale if any serious issues or defects are found by the home inspector. There is generally the opportunity for the seller to remedy the items, but if they are a major expense, like roofing or foundation issues, they may not agree to the expense.

If you’re a little nervous about the inspection, as the home seller, you are certainly not alone. Many sellers find this final hurdle nerve-wracking. On one hand, you don’t want the deal to fall through, on the other hand, you don’t want to be saddled with the cost of repair for anything that might be major. Here are some things that you can do to help prepare for the event.

1.   Clear The Way

The last thing a home inspector is going to want to see is that anything they need to inspect is blocked by stuff. Storage, junk, furniture, whatever, get it out of the way. If something common cannot be inspected, the buyer will see that in the report, and it could be a red flag.

2.   Walk The Perimeter

Check your siding, trim, windows, caulking and seals, doors, and weatherstripping of your home. This is all small stuff that you should have in order easily.

3.   Check The Roof

You may not have ever looked up there, but you know who’s going to? You guessed it, the home inspector. So haul out the ladder and take a look at the roof. Clean the gutters, remove any moss, look for and replace missing tiles or shingles.

4.   Check Your Bulbs

This is simple, but it can be your undoing. A light that doesn’t work tells an home inspector one of two things, either the bulb is out or the wiring or outlet is faulty. Since they won’t be bringing extra bulbs to test, make sure they won’t need them.

5.   Toilets

Clean and functioning properly are key. Worn parts can cause a toilet to keep running, get that stuff replaced before it’s noted on the home inspection report. The parts are only a few bucks and anyone can do it.

6.   Pilot Lights

This one is important if you turn your furnace off during the warmer months. The inspector is going to test the major appliances, so make sure that they are ready.

7.   Water Leaks

This is a big one. Look under cabinets and up at floor joists in the basement if you have one, and look for signs of leaks. Fix the leak, and fix any water damage before the home inspection.

Categories
Dating Health & Home

How Couples Stay Happy During Quarantine

happy relationship

The pandemic came as a welcome respite for many couples who were over the moon with joy at spending more time with their partners. For others, it is probably a nightmare, especially if the chemistry between them is dwindling, and they’re ready to pull each other’s hair out.

The good news is that it need not be as bad as that: certain key practices that can affect your relationship healthily, keeping both partners happy during the quarantine. Here’s how:

1.    Help with Chores

The first key practice is to share the load of home chores. Divide the work equally so one does not feel unfairly burdened. If you are good at cooking while the other has no issues doing the laundry, then volunteer to do what you’re good at it.

Sharing each other’s load like a team will keep you both happy and even strengthen your relationship.

2.    Give Each Other Space

Just because you’re spending all the time indoors together does not mean you have to constantly breathe down each other’s neck. Give each other ample space without creating a fuss. Let your partner breathe, have zoom calls or facetime with friends and family or even work out separately.

If your partner wishes to go for a stroll in the nearby park alone, try not to balk at it. Make your own me-time while giving your partner theirs. But the key is to coordinate your schedules so that you both take your alone time together.

3.    Plan Fun Couple Activities

Don’t let your time housebound become boring. You may not get to dine out at lavish restaurants, party at the bars, or go dancing on the beach, but you can plan all that and more at home. Make weekends special with cookouts in the backyard, plan movie nights with popcorns, or just a fancy date at home.

4.    Make One Meal a Day Special

If you’re both working professionals, then you’re perhaps working just as much from home. If the days are busy, at least try to make your dinners special. Cook what you both love, try out new recipes, and spend quality time with lively conversations during dinners.

5.    Try Couples Yoga or Meditate Together

If you both could never make time for these due to your demanding careers, now is your opportunity. Try practicing some meditation or yoga together. It will strengthen your personality and intellect and help attain a level of calm, peace, and control together. Besides, yoga and meditation are a great way to unwind from stress, and what could be better to do it as a couple.

6.    Fix Your Loose Ends

While you’re dating, everything seems like moonlight and roses as romance is in abundance. Once you start living together, you realize the many flaws and imperfections and many things you struggle to put up with in your partner.

A relationship strengthens and stays healthy when partners work as a team to address their differences. Take the pandemic time to focus on one another, accept your differences, work on your flaws, learn more about each other, please each other more and even give your home a makeover.